The GSA showcases and mobilizes graduate student research through the following initiatives:

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Library Exhibit

The Laurier Library Exhibit is a visual depiction of graduate student research that enhances the visibility of local work in a unique and creative forum in partnership with the Laurier Library.

Researchers of Laurier program nominees are eligible to apply for this program.

Benefits to you:

Exposure of your work in high traffic areas

The opportunity to take a creative approach to your graduate work

Contribute positively to your CV

Graduate student work will be displayed once per year in the winter. To help make this exhibit possible, the Library Exhibit Advisory Committee has allotted $3000.00 to support each successful candidate in the development of this exhibit. This funding could be used to exhibit materials, marketing tools and/or event catering.

The Laurier Exhibit Advisory Committee is composed of, (1) the University Librarian, (2) the Library Communications Officer, (3) the GSA President & CEO, (4) a graduate student, and (5) a university representative.

Past Student Exhibits:

#ConsentED: Challenging Knowledge of Canadian Consent Law

Eleanor McGrath, 2016 Laurier Gold Medal Recipient, showcased her research which explored knowledge and confidence about sexual consent, and the need for better consent education.

#DistractinglySexist : Confronting Sexism in Canada's Tech Triangle

Eden Hennessey, Laurier’s 2014/2015 Researcher of the Year, showcased her research on how women respond to sexism in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Leaders of Laurier

The Leaders of Laurier program showcases important and innovative graduate student initiatives happening across all campuses by celebrating selected individuals who demonstrate that their research, innovation or entrepreneurial effort, or community engagement applies to a yearly theme.

2016-2017 Theme: Becoming Agents of ChangeAs part of the competition, applicants in each stream will be asked to write about how their graduate work applies to a specific theme that will change from year to year. How effectively the applicant is able to relate their project to the theme will be a major component of the application evaluation.This year’s theme is “Becoming Agents of Change” and thus applications might discuss, how the project transforms our understanding of a particular concept or mechanism, how the student or project acts as a catalyst for change, how the student or project alters human capability or organizational systems to achieve a higher degree of output or self-actualization, etc.

Stream 1: Researcher of LaurierThe Researcher of Laurier initiative showcases the important and innovative graduate student research happening across all campuses by celebrating selected individuals and their research within the Laurier and broader communities.

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to nominate exceptional graduate student researchers to be recognized across campuses and on the GSA and Laurier websites during the nomination period (November 15th - January 15th). Successful applicants, based on peer evaluation, will be showcased in the Winter semester, and all successful Researchers of Laurier will be eligible for the Researcher of the Year award in April. This award includes a $500.00 cash prize and a professional development package. All successful applicants also have the opportunity to mobilize their research as nominees for the Laurier Library Exhibit.

Research projects involve, but are not limited to, the following types of research activities:• Applied research, basic research• Quantitative and qualitative research• Case studies• Comparative studies• Critical analyses of existing research

Stream 2: Innovator/Entrepreneur of LaurierThe Innovators/Entrepreneurs of Laurier initiative showcases important graduate student work in the domains of innovation (introducing something new) and/or entrepreneurship (turning a great idea into a business opportunity) happening across all campuses by celebrating selected individuals and their contribution within the Laurier and broader communities.

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to nominate exceptional graduate student innovators and entrepreneurs to be recognized across campuses and on the GSA and Laurier websites during the nomination period (November 15th - January 15th). Successful applicants, based on peer evaluation, will be showcased in the Winter semester, and will be eligible for the Innovator/Entrepreneur of Laurier award in April. This award includes a $500.00 cash prize and a professional development package. All successful applicants also have the opportunity to mobilize their work as nominees for the Laurier Library Exhibit.

Innovative/entrepreneurial projects involve, but are not limited to, the following types of activities:• Small business development• LaunchPad projects• BU610 or similar class projects• Product development (e.g., technology)

Stream 3: Community Champion of LaurierThe Community Champions of Laurier initiative showcases significant graduate student work in the community and volunteerism domains happening across all campuses by celebrating selected individuals and their work within the Laurier and broader communities.

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to nominate exceptional graduate students who contribute in the domains of community and volunteerism to be recognized across campuses and on the GSA and Laurier websites during the nomination period (November 15th - January 15th). Successful applicants, based on peer evaluation, will be showcased in the Winter semester, and will be eligible for the Community Champion of Year award in April. This award includes a $500.00 cash prize and a professional development package. All successful applicants also have the opportunity to mobilize their work as nominees for the Laurier Library Exhibit.

Community work may involve, but is not limited to, the following types of activities:• Volunteerism, charity work, other philanthropic endeavors• Social work• Program Evaluation• Promoting environmental protection• Promoting public safety, animal welfare

AdjudicationNotes:

Phase 1: Submit Your Video & Application (November 15th - January 15th)Submit an application and short video (no longer than two minutes in length). The video should convey who you are, and describe your work and how it relates to this year’s theme.

Phase 2: Invitation to Present to Showcase Review Panel (Monday January 30th - Thursday Feb 2nd)Selected contestants will present their research, innovation/entrepreneurship, or community work to the Showcase Review Panel. Presentations should be no longer than five minutes and a PowerPoint presentation is highly encouraged. This presentation expands upon their video and written application and offers an opportunity for the review panelist to ask questions and get clarifications.

Phase 3: Showcase (February and March)Finalists who advance from the second round will have their research, innovation/entrepreneurship, or community work showcased via the GSA YouTube channel and through our social media (including a video of their presentation from Phase 2, if they wish).

Phase 4: Showcase Winners (March and April)Following showcasing of the finalists, there will be voting on a winner in each stream.